Gastroentrology Flashcards
Chron’s disease (IBD)
- autoimmune, inflammatory disease
Clinical:
- RLQ pain
- non-bloody diarrhea
- weight loss
Diagnosis:
1. UGI-series —> shows string sign
2. Colonoscopy —> shows discontinuation of inflammation (skip lesions) + cobblestone appearance
3. Biopsy —> 1. Transmural inflammation; 2. Non-caseating granulomas; 3. Creeping fat
4. Laboratory—> ASCA (antibody); B12 & iron deficiency
Treatment:
1. Mild disease —> 5-ASA (mesalamine) or glucocorticoids
2. Severe or refractory disease—> immunosuppressant (methotrexate, infliximab)
3. Surgery —> is not curative, only palliative
Complication:
- fistula, abscess, strictures ( bowel obstruction)
Note:
-mesalamine targets the small bowel & right side of colon
- completely diverse ( any segment of GI from mouth to anus)
-Completely deep ( transmural, through all layers of mucosal membrane)
-Completely dry ( normally non-bloody, or dry stool)
-Completely discontinuous ( skip lesions)
Ulcerative colitis (IBD)
- affect mucusal & submucosal layers
- limited to colon only
- rectum is always involved
- continuous inflammation
- intermittent colonic inflammation
Clinical:
- chronic abdominal pain
- bloody diarrhea
- systemic system ( fever, fatigue)
- bloody diarrhea + abdominal pain + fecal incontinence
- LLQ pain
- tenesmus : incomplete bowel emptying
- severe cases= toxic megacolon, fever, increased ESR
- complication:
1. more at risk for colon cancer
2. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Diagnosis:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy —> ulceration/ continuous inflammation
- barium enema: complete loss of haustral marking “ lead-pipe/ stove pipe sign”
- laboratory: p-ANCA
Treatment:
- topical 5-ASA (mesalamine) as first line
- glucocorticoid can be used in more severe cases
- surgical resection in severe/refractory cases can be curative
- offer screening colonoscopy (8-10 years) after initial diagnosis, then after 1-3 years thereafter
Note:
ULCER: usually limited to colon especially rectum
Hepatitis (general)
- in all types of hepatitis, the history & exam are the same
Clinical:
- systemic symptoms: fever, malaise, N/V
PE:
- jaundice
- hepatomegaly
- RUQ pain/tenderness
- clay colored stool
Laboratory:
- elevated LFT ( AST, ALT, Bilirubin) in acute & chronic hepatitis
Fulminant hepatitis:
- acute hepatic failure in patient with hepatitis
- liver is failing within days or weeks
- only definitive treatment is liver transplant
Note:
- hepatitis A: anus
- hepatitis B: baby/bodily fluid
- hepatitis C: chronic infection
- hepatitis D: dependent on hepatitis B infection
- hepatitis E: embryo (pregnancy dangerous develop fulminant hepatitis)
Hepatitis A
- viral infection
- transmission: fecal-oral route ( contaminated food/water, daycare workers, international travel)
Clinical:
- asymptomatic
- mild symptoms (fever, malaise, N/V) ( jaundice, hepatomegaly, RUQ tenderness)
Diagnosis:
- elevated LFT ( AST & ALT IN 1000’s = acute; in 100’s = chronic ) ( bilirubin)
- IgM anti-HAV ( acute infection)
- IgG anti-HAV ( chronic or past infection)
Treatment:
- mostly supportive—> rest, acetaminophen, fluid
- hepatitis A vaccine & immunoglobulin for prevention & post-exposure prophylaxis
- very rare to progress to chronic or fulminant hepatitis (only acute infection)
Hepatitis B
- viral infection that can be acute or chronic infection
- rare fulminant hepatitis
- minimal chronic hepatitis
Transmission
- from mother to baby ( perinatal or vertical transmission)—> high prevelance countries
- from bodily fluid ( sexual, IV drug) —> low prevalence countries (USA)
Clinical:
- 30% present with jaundice (icteric phase)
- 70% present with no jaundice ( anicteric phase)
- fever, malaise, N/V
Diagnosis:
- elevated LFT ( AST, ALT, Bilirubin)
- serology:
1. IgM anti-HBc ( acute infection)
2. IgG anti-HBc (Chronic infection)
3. Hepatitis B surface antiBody (anti-HBc)
- hepatitis B vaccine/ booster
- beat hepatitis B, it has resolved
4. Hepatitis B surface antiGen (HBsAg)
- they Got hepatitis B, have to decide if it is acute (positive IgM) or chronic (positive IgG)
Examples:
1. If a positive hepatitis B surface antibody ( positive anti-HBc):
- have booster or body beat the infection
- if only positive anti-HBc —> patient have hepatitis B vaccine
- if positive anti-HBc + positive IgG = They beat it (resolved infection)
- If a positive hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg):
- acute (positive IgM) or chronic (positive IgG)
Treatment:
- acute: supportive (rest, acetaminophen, fluid)
- chronic: antiviral agent ( Entecavir, Lamivudine, Tenofovir)
- hepatitis B vaccine at 1-2 months after birth, than 6 months
Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C progress to chronic stages in up to 85% pf patient
- up to 30% of patients with hepatitis C will develop Cirrhosis in a 20-30 year period
- in the US, hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease, & the most common reason a patient needs a liver transplant
Transmission:
- percutaneous exposure to infected blood ( IV drug users) —> in the USA
Clinical:
- asymptomatic
- symptomatic: ( fever, malaise, anorexia, jaundice, clay colored stool, dark urine)
Diagnosis:
- screening: HCV antibody ( positive in acute, chronic, past infection; not specific)
- confirmation: HCV-RNA test (PCR test)
Treatment:
- antiviral agents:
1. Ledipasvir + sofosbuvir
2. Glecaprevir + pibrentasvir
Hepatitis D
-Hepatitis D cannot exist without hepatitis B infection
Transmission:
- exposure to infected blood ( IV drug users)
Clinical: same as previous
Diagnosis:
- screening: anti-HDV antibody
- confirmation: HDV-RNA (PCR TEST)
Treatment:
- asymptomatic, normal ALT = Observation
- symptomatic, elevated ALT= interferon alpha (antiviral)
- prevention: hepatitis B vaccine
Hepatitis E
- self resolving + patient have mild symptoms—> unless patient is pregnant, can develop fulminant hepatitis, increased mortality rate
transmission:
- fecal-oral route (like hepatitis A)
CLINICAL:
- fever, malaise, N/V, abdominal pain , jaundice
Diagnosis:
- elevated LFT
- Anti-HEV antibody
Treatment:
- supportive, unless patient is pregnant
Stool osmotic gap
SOG:
290 - 2 * ( Stool Na + Stool K)
Findings:
- secretory diarrhea: < 50
- indeterminant: 50-125
- osmotic diarrhea: > 125
Note:
- osmotic diarrhea: polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, lactose ( diarrhea after ingestion of agent, and does not occur while fasting)
- secretory diarrhea: vibrio, VIPoma, cystic fibrosis, post-surgical patients with bile acid ( diarrhea happens while fasting & at night)
- factitious diarrhea: due to laxative abuse + signs of volume depletion ( lightheadedness, tachycardia, hypotension)
Giardiasis
Transmission:
- contaminated food/water
- daycare, nursing home
- immunodeficiency ( cystic fibrosis, HIV, IgA deficiency)
Pathology:
- loss of brush border enzymes —> malabsorption
Clinical:
- subacute (< 4 weeks), chronic ( months)
- loose, oily, non-bloody stool + foul smelling
- bloating
- weight loss
- vitamin deficiency
Diagnosis:
- stool antigen or PCR testing
- stool microscopy
Treatment:
- 1st line: tinidazole or nitazoxanide
- children: metronidazole
- pregnancy ( 1st trimester): paromomycin
- refractory: evaluation for immunodeficiency
Sarcoidosis
- multi-system inflammatory non-caseating granulomatous formation. ( mediastinum fullness + bilateral reticulonodular opacities)
- subclinical (asymptomatic) hepatic involvement
- LFT: mixed cholestatic & hepatocellular pattern
Significant symptoms:
- hilar lymphadenopathy
- erythema nodosum
- facial nerve palsy
- hepatosplenomegaly
- asymptomatic LFT abnormalities
- hypercalcemia
- parotid gland swelling
Diffuse esophageal spasm
Symptoms:
- intermittent chest pain ( few seconds to minutes)
- dysphagia for food & liquids
Diagnosis:
- manometry: Intermittent peristalsis, multiple simultaneous contraction
- Esophagram: corkscrew pattern
Treatment:
- CCB
-Nitrates or tricyclic
Upper GI bleed
Symptoms:
- hematemesis + melena + anemia + BUN/CR ratio > 20
Measures:
1. Supplemental oxygen
2. Bowel rest
3. IV-fluid through large bore catheter
4. PPI (for acid suppression)
5. Packed RBCs transfusion ( increase O2- carrying capacity in patient with significant low Hg level < 7 )
Splenic infarction
- LUQ pain + fever + leukocytosis
- associated with:
1. Hyper-coagulable states: (SLE = via ANA antibody = young, joint pain, thrombocytopenia), (malignancy)
2. Embolic disease (atrial fibrillation, endocarditis = MR, atheroma)
3. Hemoglobinopathy ( sickle cell disease; hemoglobin electrophoresis)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- hepatomegaly + mild elevation in transaminase ( AST/ALT < 1)
- associated with metabolic syndromes (central obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, HTN)
- tx: weight loss + control of metabolic risk factor
- due to insulin resistance & increased peripheral lipolysis & increased triglyceride synthesis —> increased accumulation of free fatty acids
Autoimmune hepatitis
Signs:
- elevated AST & ALT ( 100-1000)
- elevated total bilirubin
- mildly elevated ALP
- arthralgia + anorexia + fatigue
- positive anti- smooth muscle
Findings:
- portal & periportal lymphoplasmacytic infiltration
Signs:
- N, fatigue, pruritis, jaundice
Tx:
- prednisone with/without azathropine
Hemochromatosis
Signs:
- elevated AST & ALT
- associated with diabetes (heart failure, cirrhosis, hypogonadism, arthritis)
- after menopause in women
- arthralgia + hyperpigmentation + fatigue
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- destruction of intra-hepatic bile duct
- lead to cholestatic disease ( markedly elevated ALP)
- fatigue + pruritus
Hepatic encephalopathy
Symptoms:
- mental status change
- sleeping pattern change
- flapping tremor
- ataxia + slurred speech
Associated with:
- diarrhea, sedatives, narcotics, hypokalemia, GI bleeding, TIPS, bacterial peritonitis, UTI, pneumonia
Tx:
- fluid, antibiotics (treat cause)
- lactulose, lactitol, rifaximin ( decrease blood ammonia concentration)
Viral hepatitis
Signs:
- ALT > AST in 1000
- increase bilirubin
- N/V
Alcohol liver disease
Symptoms:
- AST/ALT ratio ( almost 2)
- AST is rarely > 300
- AST is usually higher than ALT by a factor of 2
- gives a shrunken liver or non-palpable liver edge
Acalculous cholecystitis
- elevated ALP & bilirubin
Ischemic hepatic injury (liver shock)
- is associated with surgery, hemorrhage, hypotension
- lead to increase AST & ALT in 1000
- mild increase in bilirubin & ALP
- liver enzyme goes to normal within a week
Acute liver failure
- acute liver failure after hepatitis within 7 days
- common cause viral hepatitis & drug toxicity
- diagnosis of acute liver failure —> signs of hepatic encephalopathy (ALT & AST > 1000 + Mental status change, tremor, sleep change, ataxia + liver dysfunction INR> 1.5)
Cirrhosis
- should be suspected in any patient with chronic liver disease ( ascites, spider angiomata, gynecomastia, splenomegaly).
- causes of chronic liver disease:
1. Viral hepatitis
2. Chronic alcohol abuse
3. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
4. Hemochromatosis
Management of cirrhosis
- LFT monitor ( INR, Bilirubin, albumin)
- Compensated:
- US: for hepatocellular carcinoma ± alpha-fetoprotein every 6 months
- EGD varices (surveillance) - Decompensated:
- Assess complication
2.1 variceal hemorrhage:
- start non-specific BB
- repeat EGD every year
2.2 ascites
- dietary sodium restriction
- diuretics
- paracentesis
- abstinence from alcohol
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- fluid + antibiotics for causative agent
- lactulose therapy
Wilson disease
Autosomal recessive mutation (ATP7B) —> hepatic copper accumulation —> deposit in basal ganglia/ cornea
Tx:
- chelators ( D-penicillamine, trientine)
- zinc
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Autoimmune destruction of intra-hepatic bile duct
Clinical:
- affect middle-aged women
- fatigue & pruritus
- hepatomegaly, jaundice, ascites
- eyes exanthoma
Diagnosis:
- elevated ALP & bilirubin
- positive anti mitochondrial antibody
- elevated hyperlipidemia
Treatment:
- ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (delay progression)
- liver transplant ( severe cases)
Complication:
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- ADEK vitamin deficiency
- metabolic bone disease ( osteoporosis, osteomalacia)
Evaluation of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- elevated serum ALP
- check GGT:
- Normal GGT —> bone origin (paget’s disease)
- Elevated GGT —> biliary obstruction origin2.1 check RUQ via US + Antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)
2.1.1 normal (US & AMA) —> consider liver biopsy, ERCP, observation
2.1.2 dilated bile duct —> ERCP2.1.3 positive AMA or abnormal hepatic parenchymal on US —-> Liver biopsy
Stain-induced hepatocellular injury
- lead to elevated ALT & AST
Gilbert syndrome
- inherited disorder of bilirubin metabolism
- decrease conjugation of bilirubin
Clinical:
- recurrent episodes of jaundice ( —> scleral icterus)
- provoked by: surgery, fasting, dehydration, stress ..
Diagnosis:
- increase indirect bilirubin (total bilirubin)
- normal ALT, AST, ALP
Treatment:
- benign, no treatment required.
Note:
-Elevated total bilirubin = indirect bilirubin
Acute cholangitis
- ascending infection due to biliary obstruction
Clinical:
- charcot triad: fever, jaundice, RUQ pain
- Reynold pentad: hypotension + altered mental status
Diagnosis:
- cholestatic liver function abnormalities —>
1. Elevated bilirubin & ALP
2. Mildly elevated ALT & AST
- biliary dilation on US or CT
3. Leukocytosis with left shift
Treatment:
- antibiotic coverage of enteric bacteria
- biliary drainage by ERCP within 24-48 hours
Evaluate hyperbilurubinemia
- Elevated unconjugated bilirubin ( indirect)
- hemolysis, Gilbert, drugs, portosystemic shunt
- Elevated conjugated bilirubin (direct)
- With normal ALT, AST, ALP —> Dubin-Johnson syndrome (liver biopsy = dark liver + pigmented hepatocytes + no treatment + impaired bilirubin excretion) , Rotor syndrome (normal liver biopsy
- With elevated ALT, AST—>
- alcoholic hepatitis
- viral hepatitis
- autoimmune hepatitis
- ischemic hepatitis
- hemochromatosis
- toxin/drug- induced hepatitis - With elevated ALP—> check with ultrasound & AMA antibody
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
- choledocholithiasis
- malignancy (pancreas, ampullary)
- Cholingiocarcinoma
- cholestasis of pregnancy
C. Difficile colitis
Risk factors:
- inflammatory bowel disease ( CD, UC)
- Age > 65
- recent antibiotic use or hospitalization
- chemotherapy
- use of PPI, H2 blocker
Clinical:
- profuse watery diarrhea + Foul-smelling
- leukocytosis > 15,000
- fulminant colitis + toxic megacolon
Diagnosis:
- stool PCR for C. Difficile
- stool Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) & Glutamate Dehydrogenase antigen (GDG)
Treatment:
- hand hygiene
- contact isolation
- bleach to disinfect
- vancomycin ( 4 times a day, for 10 days)
Microscopic colitis
Clinical:
- water, non-bloody diarrhea, fecal urgency/incontinence
- abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, arthralgias
TriggerS:
- smoking
- drugs ( NSAIDS, PPI, SSRI)
Diagnosis:
- colonoscopic biopsy —> lymphatic infiltration of lamina propria
1. Collagenous: thickened sub-epithelial collagen band
2. Lymphocytic: high level of intra-epithelial lymphocytes
Management:
- remove possible trigger
- anti-diarrhea medication + budesonide
Microscopic colitis
Clinical:
- water, non-bloody diarrhea, fecal urgency/incontinence
- abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, arthralgias
- affect women > 60.
TriggerS:
- smoking
- drugs ( NSAIDS, PPI, SSRI)
Diagnosis:
- colonoscopy—> normal colon mucosa
- colonoscopic biopsy —> lymphatic infiltration of lamina propria
1. Collagenous: thickened sub-epithelial collagen band
2. Lymphocytic: high level of intra-epithelial lymphocytes
Management:
- remove possible trigger
- anti-diarrhea medication + budesonide
Whipple disease
- caused by: bacillus Tropheryma whippellii
- lead to multi-system illness
Clinical:
- men 40-60
- GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea (foul-smelling) , weight loss, steatorrhea, malabsorption with distention
- arthralgia
- chronic cough
- lympadenopathy + hyperpigmentation
- diastolic murmur ( regurgitation)
Diagnosis:
- positive PAS material